News from January 2018
State’s Attorney Kelly will have primary challenge after objection denied
CHICAGO – All eight members of the State Electoral Board denied an objection that would have guaranteed the nomination of St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly as Democratic candidate for Congress.
Elections board rules for Hilmes in ballot challenge brought by GOP rival Ruocco
The Illinois State Board of Elections ruled Thursday that Republican candidate for St. Clair County circuit judge "B. Marshall Hilmes" will be allowed to remain on the ballot at the March 20 primary election.
Request for punitive damages allowed in suit against AmeriGas; Leaking propane allegedly caused rental property explosion
Madison County Circuit Judge Andreas Matoesian granted State Farm’s motion to request punitive damages against a propane company after leaking gas caused an explosion at a rental property, which allegedly “knocked a home from its foundation and nearly killed an entire family.”
#MeToo movement long overdue
In his January 5 Argument in this paper, John Hopkins calls the #Me Too movement an organized witch hunt.
Prenzler says he is 'committed to eradicating' public corruption following raid at Madison County administration building
Madison County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler said he is “committed to eradicating” public corruption and supports “legitimate criminal investigations” in a statement Thursday after a Madison County Public Corruption Task Force searched offices at the Madison County administration building Wednesday.
Federal court to hear testimony next week in alleged ‘wiping’ of a Madison County hard drive
BENTON – While state police examine Madison County computers they seized on Jan. 10, U.S. Magistrate Judge Reona Daly prepares for a hearing on the wiping of a hard drive in the transition from the prior administration to the current one.
Man seeks damages from Shiloh woman over collision
BELLEVILLE – A motorist has filed suit against a Shiloh resident after a motor vehicle accident on Frank Scott Parkway.
Motorist alleges injuries following East St. Louis collision
BELLEVILLE – A driver and the owner of a vehicle are named in a suit by a motorist who alleges she was injured in a collision in East St. Louis.
Motorist sued after fatally hitting pedestrian
BELLEVILLE – An estate administrator alleges her decedent suffered injury, pain and suffering in a pedestrian-auto collision in East St. Louis.
Passenger seeks damages over South Smiley Street collision
BELLEVILLE – A passenger alleges she was injured when another car failed to yield and caused a collision in St. Clair County.
Attorney hopeful that civil court fees will be reformed in 2018 General Assembly session
Attorney Steven F. Pflaum of Chicago is hoping this year will mark the beginning of the end of rising court fees in the state's judicial system.
Woman alleges motorist caused New Athens collision
BELLEVILLE – A St. Clair County woman alleges a driver ignored a traffic control device and struck her vehicle in New Athens.
Condo association, realty company deny liability in suit alleging property had flooding problems
A Collinsville condominium association and a realty company deny liability in a property buyer’s suit alleging they failed to inform him that the property had drainage and flooding issues.
Rising property tax burdens squeeze Illinois families
For most Illinois homeowners, it’s become painfully obvious that they pay some of the highest property taxes in the country. But a couple of new studies could lead some to believe the burden might not be that bad, and might even be getting better.
Developing: State police raid offices at Madison County administration building
Public corruption task force officers of the Illinois State Police have raided offices at the Madison County Administration building, according to an official who works in the building.
Pipeline companies move for entry of ESI order in suit alleging contamination from 2015 Highland oil spill
Two pipeline companies request the district court to adopt its proposed order governing discovery of electronically stored information in a class action suit alleging the companies contaminated land near Highland following a 2015 oil spill.
Suit alleging thumb injury from crossbow dismissed
A Rural King customer alleging he injured his thumb while using a crossbow he purchased from the store has dismissed his claims against the defendants.
Madison County Associate Judge Luther Simmons retires; Plans to begin working at Simmons Hanly Conroy next month
Madison County Associate Judge Luther Simmons’ retired Jan. 5 after serving on the bench for roughly two years, leaving an associate judge vacancy to be filled.
Biased or not, Kolker's decision not likely to stand
He insists that his decision was not politically motivated and that he had the law on his side. Nevertheless, Associate Judge Chris Kolker's decision – overturning Gov. Bruce Rauner's executive order nullifying the so-called “fair share” fees that non-union state workers must pay to the unions ostensibly representing them – is likely to have little long-term effect.
Madison County civil docket Jan. 15-19
Madison County Circuit Judges Mudge, Ruth, Dugan and Matoesian have law cases scheduled on the civil docket for Jan. 15-19.